Archaeologists were elated at the discovery of a 4 500-year-old stone circle on an Aberdeenshire farm in Scotland this past December.

With its smallish circumference and stones, experts said the Neolithic monument in the parish of Leochel-Cushnie was unusual, especially because it had remained hidden for so long, but hoped it might change their understanding of prehistoric building methods.

The site, which sits on land near Holmhead Farm near Aboyne, was reported to Aberdeenshire Council’s archaeology service late last year by Fiona Bain, whose family have lived and farmed in the area for generations.

Archaeologists visited the area and confirmed that the structure was indeed a recumbent stone circle. They proceeded to study the stone circle, noting that it was notoriously difficult to date.

Then, reports The Telegraph, the unexpected happened:

This week a farmer who had once owned the land got in touch to say he had built it himself in the 1990s.

Awkward. The previous owner of the land built the stone circle as a joke. Almost 30 years later, it paid off in a big way.

However Kevin Bain, whose wife Fiona first reported the stone circle to the local authority, said he found it hard to believe it was a replica that had been built recently.

“I don’t know if I believe this,” he said. “If it had been built then we would probably have known about it.

“To be honest, I’ve had nothing but people coming through my ground, driving up my drive looking for it. Maybe they’ll now want to come and see something that never was.”

Just wait until the Pagans arrive, pal.

Archaeologists have said that they will be keeping the fake circle on record to avoid any misidentification in the future.

Probably best.

[source:telegraph]